• Artigos em revistas especializadas

    1996

WILMS, W.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & ENGELS, W. 1996. Resource partitioning between highly eusocial bees and possible impact of the introduced honeybee on native stingless bees in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 31 (3-4): 137-151.
Abstract: The highly eusocial bee community of the neotropical Atlantic Rainforest was studied at Boraceia Biological Station in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In this reserve, 17 species of stingless bees and the introduced Africanized honey bee were found, the latter being the most abundant flower visitor. Of all flowering plants, Asteraceae and Myrtaceae were particularly important as resources for bees. Trophic niche overlap between the various species of stingless bees is evident and it was generally larger within the tribes Meliponini and Trigonini than between members of different tribes. Nevertheless, in the stingless bee community the competitive pressure is rather uniformly spread. The trophic niche of the Africanized honey bee can be positioned between those of Meliponini and Trigonini. Today this introduced species represents the main competitor in this bee community. However, its impact on native stingless bee populations is apparently buffered by mass-flowering trees which are the most important food plants of the indigenous highly eusocial bees.
Keywords: Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil; bee community; stingless bees; Africanized honey bee; nutritional resource partitioning; mass-flowering

    1997

    IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; CRUZ-LANDIM, C. & MORAES, R.L.M.S. 1997. Dwarf gynes in Nannotrigona testasceicornis (Meliponinae). Behaviour, exocrine gland morphology and reproductive status. Apidologie 28 (3-4): 113-122.
    Abstract: The behaviour and morphology of dwarf gynes produced in worker-sized cells of nor mal colonies in Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Meliponinae, Trigonini) were studied. The behaviour of these dwarf virgin queens was the same as observed for normal Trigonine gynes. The glandular equipment is also the same: Dufour glands, fat bodies and spermathecae are present. Despite these similarities, their ovaries are different. The functional significance of dwarf gynes is unknown, but may be a basis for an alternative reproductive strategy.
    Keywords: dwarf gynes; larval food; reproductive strategies; stingless bees; Trigonini; Nannotrigona testaceicornis

    VIANA, B.F.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 1997. Abundance and flower visits of bees in a cerrado of Bahia, tropical Brazil. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 32(4): 212-219.
    Abstract: Abundance, seasonal phenology and flower visits of eusocial bees were studied in Diamantina, a national park with cerrado vegetation in Bahia, tropical Brazil. About 700 bees were collected, mainly native stingless bees and the introduced Africanized honey bee. Sampling along a transect was most effective March through September during the dry season. The foraging worker bees were observed on flowers of over 60 angiosperm species of which a few were visited with high frequency. Foraging activity concentrated on flowering plants of the families Leguminosae and Asteraceae. The results are discussed under aspects of nutritional resource partitioning by bee communities in neotropical habitats and the specific composition of a cerrado apifauna.
    Keywords: eusocial bee community; Apidae; resource partitioning; cerrado vegetation; flower visits; seasonal abundance; Bahia; Brazil

    1998

    ALONSO, W.J.; LUCENA, T.F.; FRACASSO, C.M.; VELTHUIS, H.H.W. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 1998. Do Melipona bicolor workers distinguish relatedness among different physogastric queens? Apidologie 29(6): 503-512.
    Abstract: The prediction that the polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor workers should distinguish physogastric queens to whom they have different degrees of relatedness was tested. One colony with two physogastric queens was monitored for 5 consecutive days for the occurrence of the provision and oviposition processes (POP) of individually marked workers. We recorded cell provisioning, egg laying, and cell sealing. The presence of one or both of the queens during each POP was recorded. After that, one of the queens from the colony used in the first experiment was removed from the colony and substituted by two other non-related physogastric queens, from other colonies. In both cases preferences by workers towards their mother or aunt or to the unrelated queens were not detected. In a third experiment we demonstrated that guard bees at entrance of a colony do not reject a physogastric foreign queen. Evolutionary and husbandry implications are discussed.
    Keywords: kin recognition; polygyny; provision and oviposition processes; Melipona bicolor

    CRUZ-LANDIM, C.; REGINATO, R.D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 1998. Variation on ovariole number in Meliponinae (Hymenoptera, Apidae) queen’s ovaries with comments on ovary development and caste differentiation. Papéis Av. de Zool. 40(18): 289-296.
    Abstract: The present paper concerns the variation of the number of ovariole per ovary in the females of some Meliponinae species. In workers, the number of ovarioles was always of 4 per ovary, but in some species the queens had a variable number of ovarioles, from 4 to 15 per ovary (as in Plebeia remota, Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Trigona spinipes, Schwarziana quadripunctata). The variation of the number of ovarioles was also found in the same species from individual to individual and among the ovaries of a single individual.
    Keywords: ovariole number; stingless bees; queen; worker

    IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 1998. Worker reproduction in the stingless bee Friesella schrottkyi (Apidae, Meliponinae). Entomologia Generalis 23(3): 169-175.
    Abstract: In Friesella (Trigona) schrottkyi Moure 1946, workers do not lay alimentary eggs in the presence of the queen, but functional reproductive eggs are laid in short periods of their adult life. The here reported observations focus on one of these periods, that began just after an accidental gyne's escape from ist chamber (in a colony maintained inside the Bee Lab), and was divided in 2 phases, before (17 days) and after (16 days) swarm departure. Worker ovipositions occurred during the sealing of the cell or by worker manipulation of closed cells. The discussion of this phenomenon is centered on queen control over laying of reproductive eggs by workers.
    Keywords: Friesella (Trigona) schrottkyi Moure 1946; pattern of oviposition; virgin queens; swarming; supersedure

    IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; MATOS, E.T.; NOGUEIRA-FERREIRA, F.H. & VELTHUIS, H.H.W. 1998. A case of multiple mating in stingless bees. Insectes Sociaux 45(2): 231-233.
    Abstract: In several stingless bee species many males aggregate in the vicinity of a nest when a virgin queen is present in the colony and is preparing for the nuptial flight. We report such male assemblage for Tetragonisca angustula. The departure of a virgin queen from the colony and the subsequent mating could be video-recorded, because the queen and the males that had mounted her fell to the ground. Since at least two males had lost their genitalia, multiple mating seems to have occurred. This is in contrast with the prevailing view found in literature concerning the mating biology of stingless bees.
    Keywords: multiple mating; stingless bees; Tetragonisca angustula; Meliponinae

    PETERS, J.M.; QUELLER, D.C.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & STRASSMANN, J.E. 1998. Microsatellite loci from the stingless bees. Molecular Ecology 7: 783-92.

    RAMALHO, M.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & GIANNINI, T.C. 1998. Within-colony size variation of foragers and pollen load capacity in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Apidae, Hymenoptera). Apidologie 29(3): 221-228.
    Abstract: Within-nest worker size variation in the eusocial stingless bees is a contingent phe nomenon of unknown adaptive value. We assume that the magnitude of variation represents a compromise between a minimum population of foragers and foraging efficiency at colony level. In Melipona quadrifasciata, worker size was found to vary according to colony conditions, and the pollen carrying efficiency of an individual was related to its size. On average, the foragers from a weak colony are smaller and are able to carry greater amounts of pollen per unity of body weight ('load capacity') than the larger foragers from a strong colony. The allometric variation of the corbicula (the pollen carrying structure in the hind tibia) contributes to the observed decrease in pollen load capacity with increased body size. By higher pollen intake per worker, the colonies with smaller bees could increasing the rate of brood production and colony population recovery after population crashes.
    Keywords: Melipona quadrifasciata; stingless bees; worker size; pollen load; allometric variations

    1999

    KOEDAM D; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 1999. Clustered male production by workers in the stingless bee Melipona subnitida. Insectes Sociaux 46(4): 387-391.
    Abstract: In stingless bees brood cells are sequentially filled with liquid larval food (mass-provisioning), upon which the queen lays an egg. Thereafter the cell is closed by a worker. This study showed that during these processes workers of Melipona subnitida regularly laid eggs that served as food for the queen. Occasionally cells were oviposited in and immediately closed by a worker. These cells always rendered males. Some of these reproductive workers were seen to lay a trophic egg as well. Cells which were exclusively oviposited in by the physogastric queen gave rise to workers and queens only. In one colony it could be verified that three workers alone, which differed in age by one day, laid 15 male-producing eggs within a period of two successive weeks. Among them the number of ovipositions was positively related to the order in which workers eclosed - the oldest worker laying most eggs - and inversely related to the number of times they closed cells oviposited in exclusively by the queen. Apparently the physogastric queen was not able to stop certain workers from reproducing. We therefore conclude that some workers in M. subnitida temporarily dominated their queens in egg-laying.
    Keywords: stingless bees; Melipona subnitida; worker reproduction; male production; queen dominance

    PETERS, J.M.; QUELLER, D.C.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; ROUBIK, D.W. & STRASSMANN, J.E. 1999. Mate number, kin selection, and social conflicts in stingless bees and honey bees. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 266(1417): 379-384.
    Abstract: Microsatellite genotyping of workers from 13 species (ten genera) of stingless bees shows that genetic relatedness is very high. Workers are usually daughters of a single, singly mated queen. This observation, coupled with the multiple mating of honeybee queens, permits kin selection theory to account for many differences in the social biology of the two taxa. First, in contrast to honeybees, where workers are predicted to and do police each other's male production, stingless bee workers are predicted to compete directly with the queen for rights to produce males. This leads to behavioural and reproductive conflict during oviposition. Second, the risk that a daughter queen will attack the mother queen is higher in honeybees, as is the cost of such an attack to workers. This explains why stingless bees commonly have virgin queens in the nest, but honeybees do not. It also explains why in honeybees the mother queen leaves to found a new nest, while in stingless bees it is the daughter queen who leaves.
    Keywords: kin selection; mate number; social conflict; microsatellite; Apis; Meliponini

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 1999. The rate of brood cell production in the stingless bee Melipona bicolor fluctuates with nest box temperature. Revista de Etologia 2(1): 141-145.
    Abstract: The nesting sites of stingless bees probably offer the possibility of maintaining quite a stable temperature for the developing brood. For laboratory studies, the nests of stingless bees are often placed in observation hives, which are made of wood and have glass lid on top. In this paper, we report on the effect of glass plate removal on brood cell production in Melipona bicolor and demonstrate the impact of temperature fluctuations on the brood cell activity of this species. The production of new brood cells was observed in a polygynous colony which was experimentally subject to different regimes of cold and warm episodes. These results were compared with data obtained simultaneously form three other colonies, each in this own incubator box. It showed that the rate of brood cell production during cold episodes was only 50-60% that during the warmer ones. The observations lead to several recommendations form improving conditions under which colonies of stingless bees are kept and studied.
    Keywords: thermoregulation; brood cell production; stingless bees; Melipona bicolor

    2000

    HILÁRIO, S.D.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2000. Flight Activity and colony strength in the stingless bee Melipona bicolor bicolor (Apidae, Meliponinae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia 60(2): 299-306.
    Abstract: Flight activity of Melipona bicolor bicolor, coming from Cunha (23o05'S, 44o55'W), Atlantic Forest, was studied in ten colonies, and in two periods: from July to September 1993 and from August to September 1995. The colonies were grouped in weak, medium and strong, according to the diameter of the combs, which can provide a good idea of the number of cells built. 855 observations were accomplished for 5 minutes, every half-hour, from 8 to 18 hours. The total number of bees that entered and left the hive and the number of bees that arrived with mud, pollen and resin, besides the number that went out with debris in that period were counted. It was also registered the temperature and the relative humidity of the air. The total external activity, as well as pollen collection, was maximum in the first hours of the morning, mainly in strong colonies. Weak colonies moved their maximum activity approximately to 12 hours. Pollen collection declined gradually, while mud and resin collection rose; removal of debris was greater in the beginning of the morning and in the end of the afternoon. Flight activity increased as relative humidity of the air rose, being optimum for strong colonies in the range between 80%-89%, and for the weakest colonies between 70%-79%. The minimum temperature observed for exit of the bees was 11oC, with optimum temperatures ranging between 17oC and 22oC. The results showed that the general state of the colony influences the different strategies of food collection and that these bees should be adapted to environments of high relative humidity as the Atlantic forest.
    Keywords: stingless bees; flight activity; climate conditions; resource collection

    FRANCKE, W.; LUBKE, G.; SCHRODER, W.; RECKZIEGEL, A.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; KLEINERT, A.M.P.; ENGELS, E.; HARTFELDER, K.; RADTKE, R. & ENGELS, W. 2000. Identification of oxygen containing volatiles in cephalic secretions of workers of Brazilian chemical society. J. Brazilian Chemical Society 11(6): 562-571.
    Abstract: The volatile constituents of cephalic secrections of 11 Brazilian social stingless bee species of the Tetragonisca - Tetragona line have been analysed. By gas chromatography/mass spectrometry 145 compounds could be identified which include 72 esters, 22 alcohols, 16 carboxylic acids, 13 terpenoids, 8 aldehydes, 7 ketones, 4 aromatic compounds, 2 lactones and 1 dihydropyran. Structural relations, origin, and distribution of these compounds are discussed. With respect to qualitative and quantitative composition, each species shows a specific odour pattern which is made up by less specific components. To a certain extent, closely related species show some similarities in the odour bouquets. The mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of typical wax type esters and DMDS derivatives of unsaturated esters are discussed in detail.
    Keywords: stingless bees; cephalic secretions; Tetragonisca; Tetragona.

    2001

    CRUZ-LÓPEZ, L.; PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A.; & MORGAN, E.D. 2001. Secretions of stingless bees: the Dufour Gland of Nannotrigona testaceicornis. Journal of Chemical Ecology 27(1): 69-80.
    Abstract: The Dufour gland of Nannotrigona testaceicornis is a large, wide, pear-shaped sac. The gland secretion consists chiefly of the diterpene ester all-trans-geranylgeranyl acetate (64% of the total), together with a complex mixture of small amounts of cyclic ketals; mono-, sesqui-, and diterpene compounds; acetates; and other oxygenated compounds. Samples of N. testaceicornis collected at two sites in Brazil and one in México shared the same composition of their glands, suggesting that the species is uniform over this wide geographical area.
    Keywords: Hymenoptera; Apidae; Meliponinae; exocrine secretion; geranylgeranyl acetate; terpene; oxidation products

    HILÁRIO, S.D.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2001. Responses to climatic factors by foragers of Plebeia pugnax Moure (in litt.) (Apidae, Meliponinae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia 61(2): 191-196.
    Abstract: Flight activity of Plebeia pugnax Moure (in litt.) was studied in six colonies coming from Cunha, SP, from July to October 1994. Twice a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for 5 minutes every half-hour, all the bees entering and leaving the hives were counted. Six hundred counts were made and the materials that foragers carried were recorded. Data were analysed in relation to temperature, relative humidity, light intensity and day time. Foragers' flight activity was relatively constant in a wide range of temperature, from 22°C to 34°C. The minimum temperature for the beginning of flight activity was 14°C. Effective flight activity (when foragers of all colonies were leaving the hives) occurred at 15°C. These bees also flew within a wide range of relative humidity, from 30% to 100%, decreasing slowly after 50%. Flight activity increased as light intensity rose and it has also increased as the hours passed by, reaching a peak around midday and decreasing gradually afterwards. Pollen was collected all day long, while resin collection was relatively constant and debris transportation was slightly higher after 10:00 h. From all known Plebeia species, this one flew on the lowest temperature ever registered for this genus.
    Keywords: flight activity; stingless bees; climatic factors

    KOEDAM, D.; VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; DOHMEN, M.R. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2001. The behaviour of laying workers and the morphology and viability of their eggs in Melipona bicolor bicolor. Physiological Entomology 26 (3): 254-259.
    Abstract: As in many other stingless bees, Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier (Apidae: Meliponinae) workers lay two morphologically distinct types of eggs: slender ones that have a typical patterned chorion, and larger ones that lack this pattern. In this paper we report on the relation between egg morphology and the behaviour of the workers that lay such eggs. In most cases, the laying of each of these egg types is accompanied by a unique sequence of behaviours. After a worker has laid the unpatterned type of egg, she generally leaves the cell, giving the queen the possibility of eating this egg. In the case of the patterned egg type, the worker usually closes the cell immediately after her egg laying. When worker egg laying occurs right after a series of regurgitations, it stops the queen from ovipositing. When, instead, a worker lays an egg after queen oviposition, the cell contains two eggs. This study also revealed cases in which workers laid slender, patterned eggs without closing the cell, and other cases where workers laid large, spherical, unpatterned eggs and instantly closed the cell. Experiments in which worker eggs, destined to be eaten by the queen, were protected by covering the cell artificially with a piece of wax showed that some of these eggs developed into larvae, although they were occasionally relatively small. The occurrence of a range of combinations of egg-laying behaviours and egg morphologies in M. b. bicolor workers is discussed from the perspective of worker egg laying in other stingless bees.
    Keywords: egg morphology; egg viability; laying worker behaviour; Melipona bicolor bicolor; reproductive eggs; stingless bees; trophic eggs

    RIBEIRO, M.F. & ALVES, D.A. 2001. Size variation in Schwarziana quadripunctata queens (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini). Revistade Etologia 3(1): 59-65.
    Abstract: Queen size variation has been mentioned for some species of stingless bees. However, up to now it was considered a phenomenon that occurs only for virgin queens. There is no information on the frequency of the different sizes. Moreover, it is unknown whether small individuals can mate and are able to head colonies as normal queens. In order to verify queens’ size, we weighed and measured morphometrically (head width, interorbital distance, and intergular distance) 35 mated and 59 virgin queens of Schwarziana quadripunctata. The results showed that there is size variation in both groups of queens. The finding of small mated queens confirms their viability. Small virgin queens can thus mate, lay eggs and produce normal colonies. We also followed the oviposition rate of 3 mated queens of different sizes during 25 days. The 2 queens with similar size laid an equivalent number of eggs (p=0.3765, Mann-Whitney). The smallest queen, however, laid fewer eggs than the other two. The differences were statiscally significant (respectively, p=0.0017, and p=0.0001, Mann-Whitney). The possibility that oviposition performance, among other factors, is related to the queens’ number of ovarioles, is discussed.
    Keywords: size variation; queens; stingless bee; Schwarziana quadripunctata.

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; ROELING, A. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2001. Repartition of reproduction among queens in the polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor. Proc. Exper. Appl. Entomol. NEV Amsterdam 12: 45-49.
    Abstract: The mechanisms leading to reproductive skew among queens in a polygynous colony of Melipona bicolor were studied. Queens differ in the probability of remaining the sole queen at a cell during the provisioning and oviposition process. Being alone enhances the probability of receiving a trophic egg. When together with another queen egg-laying is random. Therefore, reproductive dominance is the consequence of differential food uptake, not of a dominance hierarchy.
    Keywords: polygyny; reproductive skew; trophic eggs; Melipona bicolor

    VIANA, B.F.; SILVA, F.O. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2001. Diversidade e sazonalidade de abelhas solitárias (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) em dunas litorâneas no Nordeste do Brasil. Neotropical Entomology 30(2): 245-251.
    Abstract: A estrutura da comunidade das espécies de abelhas que nidificam em cavidades pré-existentes foi sistematicamente investigada por um período de dois anos (maio/97 a abril/99), em um fragmento de dunas litorâneas na Área de Proteção Ambiental das Lagoas e Dunas de Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia (12º56'S; 38º21'W). A técnica de amostragem utilizada foi a de ninhos-armadilha, distribuídos no campo ao acaso, em blocos com 16 ninhos, com diâmetros variáveis, à altura de 1,5 m do solo. Os ninhos eram inspecionados quinzenalmente. Foram fundados 62 ninhos pertencentes a sete espécies de abelhas. Duas espécies predominaram na área, Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith (58% do total de ninhos fundados), seguida por Euplusia musitans Fabricius (31%). Em geral, houve flutuação sazonal nas abundâncias de abelhas e variação nas freqüências totais de nidificação entre os dois anos de amostragem. As duas espécies predominantes apresentaram diferentes padrões sazonais. Houve sempre ninhos-armadilha disponíveis no campo para as abelhas, que usaram apenas 14% do total oferecido.
    Keywords: Insecta; monitoramento; ninhos-armadilha

    2002

    CEPEDA-APONTE, O.I., IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & VELTHUIS, H.H.W. 2002. Lesser wax moth Achroia grisella: first report for stingless bees and new capture method. Journal of Apicultural Research 41(3-4): 107-108.
    Keywords: Achroia grisella; wax moths; Lepidoptera; Pyralidae; pests; Meliponinae; stingless bees

    CRUZ-LÓPEZ, L.; PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A.; MAILE, R. & MORGAN, E.D. 2002. Secretions of stingless bees: cephalic secretions of two Frieseomelitta species. Journal of Insect Physiology 48(4): 453-458.
    Abstract: Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of the volatile compounds in the mandibular glands of Frieseomelitta varia and the heads of Frieseomelitta silvestrii have revealed relatively simple or more complex mixtures of volatile oxygenated compounds. 2-Alkanols were found to be important components for both species. In F. varia the composition was essentially the same in samples from two widely separated areas and there were small differences between callows and mature, foraging bees. The first electroantennographic studies on stingless bees, using hexane extracts of heads of both species, have demonstrated a response in the workers’ antennae to these, as well as to the pure compounds 2-heptanol and 2-nonanol.
    Keywords: Frieseomelitta varia; Frieseomelitta silvestrii; Mandibular glands; 2-ketones; 2-alcohols; electroantennography.

    HILÁRIO, S.D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2002. Seasonality influence on flight activity in Plebeia pugnax (Moure, in litt.) (Hymenoptera, Apinae, Meliponini). Naturalia 27: 115-123.

    NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. 2002. Inbreeding and building up small populations of stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 19(4): 181-1214.
    Abstract: A study of the viability of small populations of Hymenoptera is a matter of importance to gain a better zoological, ethological, genetical and ecological knowledge of these insects, and for conservation purposes, manly because of the consequences to the survival of colonies of many species of bees, wasps, and ants. Based on the Whiting (1943) principle, Kerr & Vencovski (1982) presented a hypothesis that states that viable populations of stingless bees (Meliponini) should have at least 40colonies to survive. This number was later extended to 44 colonies by Kerr (1985). This would be necessary to avoid any substantial amount of homozygosis in the pair of chromosomic sexual loci, by keeping at least six different sexual gene alleles in a reproductive population. In most cases this would prevent the production of useless diploid males. However, several facts weight against considering this as a general rule. From 190 to 2001, 287 colony divisions were made, starting with 28 foundation colonies, in the inbreeding and population experiments with the Meliponini reported here. These experiments constitute the most extensive and longest scientific research ever made with Meliponini bees. In ten different experiments present here, seven species (one with two subspecies) of Meliponini bees were inbred in five localities inside their wide-reaching native habitats, and in two localities far away from these habitats. This was done for several years. On the whole, the number of colonies increased and the loss of colonies over the years was small. In two of these experiments, although these populations were far (1,000Km and 1,200Km) from their native habitat, their foundation colonies were multiplied successfully. It was possible to build up seven strong and three expanding medium populations, starting with one, two, three or even five colonies. However, in six other cases examined here, the Whiting (1943) principle and the hypothesis of Kerr & Vencovski (1982) and Kerr (1985), possibly hold up. In two other cases, the results are still unclear. Outside native habitats, most inbreeding experiments failed, possibly because of conditions that cause ecological stress. Although much more data are still needed, a new working hypothesis on the molecular level was presented to explain the results of the experiments described here. In the absence of any considerable stress, and the eventuality of a good nutritive situation, even individual bees that are homozygous in the pair of chromosomic sexual locus would produce a sufficient amount of a sex determining substance. Therefore, the female genes of all the diploid individuals of a colony, both homozygous and heterozygous, would be activated. However, situations of considerable stress would cause a poor physiological and nutritive condition. This, together with homozygosis in the pair of chromosomic sexual locus, would lead to a smaller production of sex determining substance. When this happens in the diploid homozygous individuals of a colony, in relation to sex, only male genes are activated. As a result, all such homozygous diploid individual would produce a high amount of sex determining substance. Consequently, all diploid individuals of such a colony would become females (queens, and workers). Stresses, including ecological stress, as well as the nutritive condition and the genetic situation in the chromosomic sexual loci, will have a key influence in the life and behaviour of the Meliponini, including sex determination. In relation to genetic factors, hybrid vigour may often cause a greater production of biological substances. This may be due to the presence of a greater number of copies of allelic genes when there is heterozygosis. This is a hypothesis requiring further research. However, in the experiments presented here, this hypothesis seems to apply well to the production of a sex determining substance in bees (Apoidea) and other Hymenoptera.
    Keywords: bee; genetics; inbreeding; population; meliponicultura; stresses; diploid males; sex determining bee substance

    PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A.; CRUZ-LÓPEZ, L.; MAILE, R.; TENTSCHERT, J.; JONES, G.R. & MORGAN, E.D. 2002. The propolis os stingless bess: terpenes from tibia of three Frieseomelitta species. Journal of Insect Physiology 48(2): 249-254.
    Abstract: The posterior tibia of foraging workers of three species of Frieseomelitta (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae) stingless bees have been shown to carry complex mixtures of plant-derived mono-, sesqui-, di- and tri-terpenes. These subtances were not found on the fore- or mid-legs, nor on other parts of the hind legs. F. silvestrii and F. silvestrii languida, when collecting, appear to exploit different plants for their resin even when housed in the same area. F. varia were found to be not collecting resin at the time of the initial sampling and were therefore sampled later. Mature foragers carry the resin. In the samples studied here, particularly prominent were the monoterpene a-pinene, the sesquiterpenes ß-caryophyllene, a-cubebene, a- and ?-muurolene, ?-cadinene, germacrene-D, and elemol and the diterpenes manool and totarol The collected material is used for the resin placed around the entrance to their nests and is also mixed with wax, to produce the cerum used for the structures in the nest.
    Keywords: Stingless bees; Propolis; Plant resin; Monoterpenes; Sesquiterpenes; Diterpenes; Triterpenes; ß-caryophyllene; a-cubebene; d-cadinene; Manool; Totarol

    RIBEIRO, M.F. 2002. Does the queen of Plebeia remota (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) stimulate her workers to start brood cell construction after winter? Insectes Sociaux 49(1): 38-40.
    Abstract: In stingless bees the Provisioning and Oviposition Process (POP) is quite complicated, involving several interactions between queen and workers. Plebeia remota nests typically stop cell construction and oviposition in fall and winter. however, little is known about the phenomenon. In order to investigate the role of queen and workers in the starting of cell construction after this interruption of activity, 9 pairs of P. remota colonies were used. Queens of active colonies were placed into inactive colonies and vice versa. The results showed that workers control brood cell construction in this colony phase. The queen seems to have little or no influence on this decision.
    Keywords: brood cell construction; winter inactivity; Plebeia remota; stingless bees

    TÓTH, E.; QUELLER, D.C.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & STRASSMANN, J.E. 2002. Genetic and behavioral conflict over male production between workers and queens in the stingless bee Paratrigona subnuda. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 53(1): 1-8.
    Abstract: Though social-insect colonies are highly cooperative, conflicts of interest can sometimies occur. In this study, we examined conflicts over male production in the stingless bee, Paratrigona subnuda. Microsatellite genotyping of workers confirmed that the queen was always singly mated, as in other stingless bees. As a consequence, workers are more related to the sons of other workers than they are to the queen's sons, and conflict is expected with the queen over who produces the males. A likelihood analysis shows that both the queen and the workers contribute substantially to male production, with workers typically contributing more, an average of 64%. The likelihood curves are sharp enough to show that the worker fraction varies among colonies and over time, consistent with a shifting balance of power between queen and workers. Workers laid eggs in 31% of cells recently oviposited in by the queen, and in some other cells as much as 1-2 days old. Queens sometimes forcefully pushed a laying worker from the cells, but the worker returned to finish laying. There was no evidence that queens were effective in preventing workers from laying eggs, yet queens produce some of the males. Worker behavior during oviposition suggests that they do not discriminate between cells destined to produce queen males versus workers, and thus the cost of losing too many future workers may limit worker laying.
    Keywords: male production; conflicts of interest; stingless bees; worker policing; microsatellites

    TÓTH, E.; STRASSMANN, J.E.; NOGUEIRA-NETO, P.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & QUELLER, D.C. 2002. Male production in stingless bees: variable outcomes of queen-worker conflict. Molecular Ecology 11(12): 2661-2667.
    Abstract: The genetic structure of social insect colonies is predicted to affect the balance between cooperation and conflict. Stingless bees are of special interest in this respect because they are singly mated relatives of the multiply mated honeybees. Multiple mating is predicted to lead to workers policing each others' male production with the result that virtually all males are produced by the queen, and this prediction is borne out in honey bees. Single mating by the queen, as in stingless bees, causes workers to be more related to each others' sons than to the queen's sons, so they should not police each other. We used microsatellite markers to confirm single mating in eight species of stingless bees and then tested the prediction that workers would produce males. Using a likelihood method, we found some worker male production in six of the eight species, although queens produced some males in all of them. Thus the predicted contrast with honeybees is observed, but not perfectly, perhaps because workers either lack complete control or because of costs of conflict. The data are consistent with the view that there is ongoing conflict over male production. Our method of estimating worker male production appears to be more accurate than exclusion, which sometimes underestimates the proportion of males that are worker produced.
    Keywords: likelihood method; male parentage; Meliponinae; microsatellites

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; ALVES, D.A.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & DUCHATEAU, M.J. 2002. Worker bees and the fate of their eggs. Proc. Exper. Appl. Entomol. NEV Amsterdam, v.13, p.97-102.
    Abstract: In this contribution worker egg-laying in a bumblebee, a honeybee and a stingless bee species is compared to sociobiological models concerning reproductive conflict in hymenopteran societies. It is argued that models offer an incomplete insight in the phenomenon. Without studying the behavioural and physiological mechanisms involved, the biological meaning of worker egg-laying in these species cannot be fully understood.
    Keywords: worker eggs; reproductive conflict; polygyny; Hymenoptera

    VIANA, B.F.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. & NEVES, E.L. 2002. Comunidade de Euglossini das dunas litorâneas de Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 46(4): 539-545.

    VIANA, B.F.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. & SILVA, F.O. 2002. Ecologia de Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) cearensis (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae) nas dunas litorâneas de Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia. Iheringia 92(4): 47-57.
    Abstract: The study was carried out in a 8.2 ha area in an environmental protection area of tropical sea coastal sand dune with "restinga" vegetation in Salvador, Bahia, northeastern Brazil. A total of 1760 bees of Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) cearensis Ducke, 1910 were netted during the whole year on flowers of 43 plant species belonging to 26 botanic families. The majority of the individuals (79%) concentrated their foraging activity in five plant species. Individuals foraged all day long being the greatest activity between 8 h and 14 h. Similar proportions of young and old bees were sampled over the year. The density of substrates used for nesting was 4.56/ha. In total, 94% of the nests were found in branches of Agaristha revoluta (Spr.) DC. (Ericaceae). The great occurrence (68.7%) of old perforations indicates that the nests were used twice or more times by bees.
    Keywords: Xylocopa; floral resources; nests; dune

    2003

    ALVES, B.G.M.; PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A. & SOARES, M.J. 2003. Morphological aspects of the hind legs of four species of the Meliponini group (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Acta Microscopica 12(B): 119-120.

    HILÁRIO, S.D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. Thermal evidence of the invasion of a stingless bee nest by a mammal. Braz. J. Biol. 63(3): 457-462.
    Abstract: Melipona bicolor, an inhabitant of the Atlantic Rainforest, nidifies in hollows of live or dead trees. In order to study thermoregulation of a nest of this species, a temperature data logger was installed inside a hollow tree. After this, an intruder dug a hole, invaded the nest, and probably consumed its honey, pollen and bees, having remained there during three days. Thermal evidence and its behavior allowed the delimitation of a small number of suspects, which we analized here. The intruder was a small mammal, predominantly nocturnal, that takes shelter in burrows, probably the yellow armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus). Other evidence, if collected immediately after invasion, could precisely indicate precisely the species.
    Keywords: temperature; thermoregulation; stingless bees; mammal; heat production

    NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; RAMIREZ, S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. Variation in the ability to communicate three-dimensional resource location by stingless bees from different habitats. Animal Behaviour 66: 1129-1139.
    Abstract: We evaluated the ability of two Brazilian stingless bee species, Melipona mandacaia and M. bicolor, to recruit nestmates to a specific three-dimensional location. We used experimental feeder arrays and provide the first detailed evidence demonstrating that recruitment communication in Melipona can lead to large, rapid and highly significant increases in the number of nestmates visiting a specific location. Melipona bicolor and M. mandacaia foragers both recruited nestmates to the correct distance and direction, but differed in their ability to recruit nestmates to the correct height. These differences may relate to their respective habitats. Melipona mandacaia inhabits semi-arid areas of Caatinga where most food sources occur close to the ground, and its foragers evidently cannot recruit nestmates to the correct height. Melipona bicolor, an Atlantic rainforest species, evidently does not communicate height when the food source is at ground level, but can communicate height when the food source is at the forest canopy level (12 m high), where major food sources occur. Species-specific variation in three-dimensional location communication is intriguing because it suggests that Melipona may be a good model for studying the evolution of recruitment communication systems in highly social bees.
    Keywords: Melipona; dance-language; food sources; recruitment behavior; foraging behavior; distance

    NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L. & NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. 2003. Pulsed mass recruitment by a stingless bee, Trigona hyalinata. Proceedings of The Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 270 (1529): 2191-2196.
    Abstract: Research on bee communication has focused on the ability of the highly social bees, stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) and honeybees (Apidae, Apini), to communicate food location to nest-mates. Honeybees can communicate food location through the famous waggle dance. Stingless bees are closely related to honeybees and communicate food location through a variety of different mechanisms, many of which are poorly understood. We show that a stingless bee, Trigona hyalinata, uses a pulsed mass-recruitment system that is highly focused in time and space. Foragers produced an ephemeral, polarized, odour trail consisting of mandibular gland secretions. Surprisingly, the odour trail extended only a short distance away from the food source, instead of providing a complete trail between the nest and the food source (as has been described for other stingless bees). This abbreviated trail may represent an intermediate strategy between full-trail marking, found in some stingless bees, and odour marking of the food alone, found in stingless bees and honeybees.
    Keywords: recruitment; stingless bee; foraging; polarized short odour trail

    NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; RANGEL, J. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. Effect of food location and quality on recruitment sounds and success in two stingless bees, Melipona mandacaia and Melipona bicolor. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 55 (1): 87-94.
    Abstract: It is unclear whether stingless bees in the genus Melipona (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) can reliably encode the distance to a food source through recruitment sounds produced inside the nest, in part because the sound features correlated with distance also vary with food quality. We therefore trained marked foragers of two species, Melipona mandacaia and M. bicolor, to feeders at different distances and to different sucrose concentrations at the same distance. In both species, foragers successfully recruited to a rich 2.5-m food source and produced pulsed recruitment sounds in which pulse duration was significantly and positively correlated with distance to the rich food source. When returning from poorer food sources (0.6-1.5m), foragers of both species decreased sound production, producing shorter sound pulses and longer sound interpulses than they did for 2.5 m food located at the same distance. Thus the temporal structure of M. mandacaia and M. bicolor recruitment sounds varies with distance and food quality. However, nestmates were not recruited by performances for poorer food sources (0.6-1.5 m), whose sucrose concentration was sufficiently low to affect recruitment sounds. Surprisingly, the interphase (the time between behavioral phases that communicate location) also increases with decreasing food quality in the closely related honeybees (Apis), suggesting a potential homology in the effect of food quality on the recruitment systems of Apis and Melipona. We explore the evolutionary implications of these similarities.
    Keywords: distance encoding; food quality; stingless bees; recruitment; sound

    NIEH, J.C.; RAMIREZ, S. & NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. 2003. Multi-source odor-marking of food by a stingless bee, Melipona mandacaia. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 54 (6): 578-586.
    Abstract: Social bees can deposit specialized glandular secretions, or signals, that allow foragers to revisit rewarding and to avoid unrewarding food sources. However, it is not known if bees can orient towards olfactory cues such as excreta deposited near food sources. We report that Melipona mandacaia foragers (stingless bees) deposit an odor cue, anal droplets, and a previously undescribed ventro-abdominal odor on food sources. Surprisingly, foragers deposited attractive odor marks on good food sources to which they recruited and on poor food sources to which they did not recruit. Foragers left the most anal droplets on dilute food sources to which they did not recruit (1.25-M sucrose solution), yet returning foragers were attracted to anal droplets obtained on poor food sources and presented in bioassays. Foragers were attracted to ventro-abdominal odors obtained on good food sources (2.5-M sucrose solution). Chemical extractions suggest that odor marks contain attractive polar compounds. We also provide the first detailed description of forager waggling and spinning behavior on poor and good food sources. Waggling may be a method of dispersing anal droplets and spinning may help foragers learn local landmarks.
    Keywords: chemical communication; olfactory cues; anal droplets; excreta; stingless bees

    PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A.; CRUZ-LÓPEZ, L. MAILE, R. & MORGAN, E.D. 2003. Secretions of stingless bees: the Dufour glands of some Frieseomelitta species (Apidae, Meliponinae). Apidologie 34: 356-365.
    Abstract: The first recorded analyses of meliponine bee Dufour gland secretions by gas chromatographicmass spectrometry on three species of Frieseomelitta showed these glands contain a mixture of oxygenated compounds and terpenoids with some hydrocarbons. In F. varia the major substances are eicosenal, 1-eicosenol and 2-pentadecanone. In F. sylvestrii they are pentacosene, nonadecanal and heptacosene. F. silvestrii languida, with the largest glands and the most complex mixture, has geranylfarnesol, followed by 1-tetradecanol and tetradecanal, making it quite different from F. silvestrii.
    Keywords: Frieseomelitta sylvestrii; Frieseomelitta varia; Frieseomelitta sylvestrii languida; geranylfarnesol

    SILVA-PEREIRA, V.; ALVES-DOS-SANTOS, I.; MALAGODI-BRAGA, K.S. & CONTRERA, F.A.L. 2003. Forrageamento de Melissoptila thoracica Smith (Hymenoptera, Eucerini, Apoidea) em flores de Sida (Malvaceae). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 20(3): 423-432.
    Abstract: Foraging activity of a solitary bee species – Melissoptila thoracica Smith, 1854 (Eucerini) – was studied considering its phenology, floral preferences, foraging patterns and pollen’s transportation structures. M. thoracica females present a clear preference for flowers of Sida Linnaeus (Malvaceae) in relation to pollen collection. The fidelity for the plant was observed considering foraging flights and analyzing the pollen carried in the females’ scopes. The collection of pollen by bees was estimated throughout the counting of remaining grains in the anthers, over one and three visits. Females were examined in scanning electronic microscopy for the analysis of pollen grains in the ventral pilosity and in the scopes. M. thoracica was considered an effective pollinator of Sida flowers.
    Keywords: food source; oligolectic; pollen transportation; solitary bee; weed plants

    RIBEIRO, M.F.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & SANTOS-FILHO, P.S.
    2003. Exceptional high queen production in the Brazilian stingless bee Plebeia remota. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 38(2): 111-114.
    Abstract: In Plebeia remota only a few gynes (young virgin queens) are usually reared per year. However, in two laboratory colonies an extraordinarily high number of gynes emerged within a short period of time. These gynes were significantly smaller than those produced in low numbers by other colonies. Morphometric characters and behaviour of the gynes were recorded. Possible reasons for the phenomenon of exceptional high gyne production are discussed.
    Keywords: Plebeia remota; stingless bees; queen production; queen size variation; Brazil

    SARAIVA, A.M.; CUNHA, R.S.; CARTOLANO JR., E.A. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. WebBee - A web based information network on bees. Rev. de Engenharia de computação e sistemas digitais 1(1): 77-86.
    Abstract: There is a growing awareness on the importance of the world’s biodiversity and on its fast decline due to many factors, including human activities. Among the huge number of animal and plant species on Earth, it is estimated that only 10% are known and this is one of the main obstacles for developing conservation programs. In order to increase the knowledge and understanding of that diversity, there is a worldwide effort for digitizing and integrating the information already available but geographically disperse, which will eventually result in an electronic Catalogue of Life, accessible on the Internet. Many pollinators, including bees, are among those threatened species and their decline is especially dangerous as they are crucial for maintaining global biodiversity and for crop production. This paper presents a Web-based information system that was developed to organize knowledge and facilitate sharing of information on bees. It is aimed at different audiences, from researchers to basic level students, from policy-makers to beekeepers, who need high quality information on bees. A database is a central part of the system, storing data from different investigations conducted by a network of researchers and research groups. That includes data from bee species, plant species visited by the bees, and a great deal of other information on their behavior and characteristics. It also includes data collected automatically by data loggers and by a weather station in several experiments on thermoregulation and flight activity of the colonies. Data is stored in different formats such as texts, photos and videos. The system can be accessed on the Internet with a simple Web browser and was implemented with a MySQL DBMS, Apache Web server and PHP scripts. Developed initially to hold the information from one research group, it was afterwards proposed as a platform for the integration of the information of different groups, forming an information network. Currently groups from other countries are willing to use it as their platform, configuring it as an international portal on bees.
    Keywords: bees; information system; Internet; database; biodiversity

    TÓTH, E.; STRASSMANN, J.E.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & QUELLER, D.C. 2003. Queens, not workers, produce the males in the stingless bee Schwarziana quadripunctata quadripunctata. Animal Behaviour 66: 359-368.
    Abstract: Most stingless bee colonies have one singly mated queen, resulting in a potential conflict between workers and queen over male production, because workers are more closely related to the sons of other workers than they are to the queen's sons. Furthermore, workers in the majority of stingless bee species have ovarian development, can produce haploid eggs, and show apparently agonistic behaviour towards their queen, suggesting a real conflict. We investigated whether genetic conflict over male production resulted in reproductive and behavioural conflict in Schwarziana q. quadripunctata. DNA microsatellite loci showed that, even though workers are more related to other workers' sons than to queen's sons, it is the queen who produces the males. Behavioural interactions between workers and their queen were not uniformly more aggressive during male production than at times with only worker production, although some differences might have been obscured by the fact that food supply was greater during male production. The potential conflict over male production in S. q. quadripunctata seems not to lead to an observable conflict between the workers and their queen. Workers might refrain from reproduction because of the costs involved for the colony or because of queen control.
    Keywords: Hymenoptera; isozymic polymorphic system; Eusocial Hymenoptera; Social Insects; kin selection; oviposition behavior; Apidae; reproduction; Meliponinae

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; PEREBOOM, Z.; KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. Cooperation and competition in a colony of the polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor, illustrated by two kinds of worker eggs and the behaviours of workers laying them. Proc. Exper. Appl. Entomol. NEV Amsterdam 14: 49-52.

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; CORTOPASSI-LAURINO, M.; PEREBOOM, Z.; & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2003. Speciation, development, and the conservative egg of the stingless bee genus Melipona. Proc. Exper. Appl. Entomol. NEV Amsterdam, 13: 53-57.
    Abstract: Species of the stingless bee genus Melipona have different-sized adults, while their eggs have a rather uniform volume. Since the larvae of these species are probably the same size at the onset of their development, they differ considerably in the amount of food they need to ingest in order to complete the four larval stages. This implies that moulting from one larval stage to the next is not a response to the amount of food ingest relative to gut capacity, but may instead be triggered by a time-related mechanism.
    Keywords: Melipona; egg size; larval development; food composition; speciation.

    2004

    ALVES-DOS-SANTOS, I. 2004. Biologia de nidificação de Anthodioctes megachiloides Holmberg (Anthidiini, Megachilidae, Apoidea). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 21(4): 739-744.
    Abstract: Anthodioctes megachiloides Holmberg, 1903 é uma abelha solitária que utiliza cavidades pré-existentes para construir o ninho. Ninhos armadilhas de madeira foram instalados no jardim do Laboratório de Abelhas no campus da Universidade de São Paulo. As armadilhas consistiram de orifícios circulares de 4 a 5 mm de diâmetro, com profundidade de 5 a 7 cm. Tubos de papel foram inseridos nos orifícios de tal maneira que pudessem ser posteriormente e periodicamente inspecionados. Dados sobre a biologia, construção de ninho, comportamento da fêmea e atividade dos parasitas foram obtidas através de observações diretas durante a primavera e verão de 2001/2002. Fêmeas de A. megachiloides iniciaram atividade em meados de agosto e fundaram um total de 40 ninhos na primavera de 2001. Resina vegetal é usada para cobrir as células, construir as partições e fechamento do ninho. De 24 ninhos examinados, 18 continham imaturos mortos, indicando que a taxa de mortalidade foi alta. Uma espécie de vespa da família Sapygidae foi detectada como cleptoparasita de A. megachiloides.
    Keywords: abelha solitária; ninhos armadilha; parasitismo; sudeste do Brasil

    CONTRERA, F.A.L.; NIEH, J.C. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2004. Temporal and climatological influences on flight activities in stingless bees. Revista de tecnologia e ambiente 10(2): 35-43.
    Abstract: Temporal fluctuations in climate play an important role in bee foraging and pollination. Documenting these influences therefore provides useful baseline information for the effects of climate change on Neotropical pollinators. In this study we analized the influence of time of the day, temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure on flight activity of a stingless bee species not previously studied, Trigona hyalinata. In this species, flight activity was negatively correlated with time of day and temperature and positively correlated with relative humidity and barometric pressure. The significance of theses results and the potential importance of biotic and abiotic variables are discussed.
    Keywords: flight activity; stingless bees; climate; temporal patterns; Trigona

    IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2004. As abelhas e as iniciativas internacionais de polinizadores. Revista de tecnologia e ambiente 10(2): 45-58.
    Abstract: Neste texto vamos tratar da formação e estruturação das Iniciativas Internacionais de Polinizadores. O processo foi inicaido através da Convenção da Diversidade Biológica, que, desde 1995, vem focalizando esta questão. A Iniciativa Internacional dos Polinizadores (IPI) forneceu a diretriz política para a estruturação de iniciativas regionais. Apresentamos aqui as iniciativas já estabelecidas: brasileira, africana, européia, norte-americana e dos povos das montanhas da Ásia. Novas iniciativas estão em formação, e são encorajadas pelos países signatários da Convenção da Diversidade Biológica.
    Keywords: conservação; biodiversidade; produção agrícola

    JUNGNICKEL, H.; COSTA, A.J.S.; TENTSCHERT, J.; PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.A.R.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; DRIJFHOUT, F. & MORGAN, E.D. 2004. Chemical basis for inter-colonial aggression in the stingless bee Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Journal of Insect Physiology 50(8): 761-766.
    Abstract: Inter-colonial aggression was tested using three colonies of Scaptotrigona bipunctata in a natural setting when their nests were moved and by artificial contact between individuals. Examination of the cuticular lipids of individuals from two colonies kept under identical conditions showed clear differences in their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. The cuticular lipids were a mixture of hydrocarbons (saturated and unsaturated alkanes and alkenes) within the range of C-23-C-29. The use of multivariate analysis (PCA and discriminant analysis) showed that seven of the identified surface compounds are enough to separate workers from colonies A and B from each other.
    Keywords: stingless bees; guard bees; colony aggression; cuticular hydrocarbons; insect wings; Scaptotrigona bipunctata

    MALAGODI-BRAGA, K.S.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2004. Abelhas sem ferrão e polinização. Revista de tecnologia e ambiente 10(2): 59-70.
    Abstract: As abelhas-sem-ferrão podem ser usadas como polinizadores de culturas de importância arícola. Neste rabalho revimos a literatura e acrescentamos os dados obtidos a parti do uso da abelha-sem-ferrão Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) como polinizadora de cultivares de morango e apresentamos um plano de manejo para essas abelhas jataí na cultura.
    Keywords: abelha jataí; meliponíneos; polinização; plantas cultivadas

    MARTINS, C.F.; CORTOPASSI-LAURINO, M.; KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2004. Espécies Arbóreas Utilizadas para Nidificação por abelhas sem ferrão na Caatinga (Seridó, PB; João Câmara, RN). Biota Neotropica 4(2).
    Abstract: In Rio Grande do Norte, a caatinga region of North-eastern Brazil, the nesting opportunities that trees offer to stingless bees (Meliponinae) were studied. Samples consisted mostly of tree trunks, which were kept by Meliponinae beekeepers. Nearly 13 per cent of observed nests were in living trees in the field. Seven species of stingless bees, totalling 227 nests, were encountered in 12 tree species. More than 75.0% of stingless bees were found in two tree species being Caesalpinia pyramidalis (Caesalpiniaceae, 41.9%) and Commiphora leptophloeos (Burseraceae, 33.9%). Furthermore, all bee species nidify in C. pyramidalis. A great part of the nests in trunks were of Melipona subnitida, (N = 130) of which 50.0% was found in C. leptophloeos and 22.3% in C. pyramidalis. M. asilvai was predominantly found in C. pyramidalis (92.3%, N= 39). Besides this survey was mainly directed to bee species with beekeping importance, data shows the huge relevance of these two plant species for nesting by stingless bees in the caatinga.
    Keywords: stingless bees; Nesting; brazilian caatinga; Caesalpinia pyramidalis; Commiphora leptophloeos

    NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; YOON, R.R.; BARRETO, L.S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2004. Polarized short odor-trail recruitment communication by a stingless bee, Trigona spinipes. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 56(5): 435-448.
    Abstract: Polarized odor-trail communication, in which a receiver can orient towards the correct endpoint from within the trail, is documented in relatively few animals and is poorly understood, although such directionality could significantly enhance resource localization. Among animals, stingless bees exhibit the unique behavior of depositing long substrate-borne odor trails that assist the orientation of flying nestmates to a specific three-dimensional food location. However, relatively little is known about the spatial structure of such odor trails, particularly vertical trails, and whether these trails are polarized to indicate the correct terminus. We show that a stingless bee, Trigona spinipes, can rapidly recruit nestmates in large bursts to a food source at a specific distance, direction, and height. In conjunction with a major recruitment burst, foragers deposited odor marks that attracted nestmates for up to 20 min. Surprisingly, these odor marks formed a short odor trail instead of a complete odor trail extending from the feeder to the nest (the classic description of a meliponine odor trail). The length of the odor trails varied between different feeder locations with different colonies, from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 29 m. The odor marks formed a polarized trail that newcomers followed to the end with the most concentrated odor marks (the feeder), even when the entire odor trail was rotated 180degrees and clean test feeders were set out at locations that foragers had never previously fed at. Thus locale odor or the potential communication of food location inside the nest do not account for the ability of newcomers to find the correct terminus. This result provides the first strong evidence for odor-trail polarization in social insects.
    Keywords: recruitment; stingless bee; three-dimensional location communication; polarized short odor trail

    NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; BARRETO, L.S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2004. Olfactory eavesdropping by a competitively foraging stingless bee, Trigona spinipes. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B- Biological Sciences 271(1548): 1633-1640.
    Abstract: Signals that are perceived over long distances or leave extended spatial traces are subject to eavesdropping. Eavesdropping has therefore acted as a selective pressure in the evolution of diverse animal communication systems, perhaps even in the evolution of functionally referential communication. Early work suggested that some species of stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) may use interceptive olfactory eavesdropping to discover food sources being exploited by competitors, but it is not clear if any stingless bee can be attracted to the odour marks deposited by an interspecific competitor. We show that foragers of the aggressive meliponine bee, Trigona spinipes, can detect and orient towards odour marks deposited by a competitor, Melipona rufiventris, and then rapidly take over the food source, driving away or killing their competitors. When searching for food sources at new locations that they are not already exploiting, T. spinipes foragers strongly prefer M. rufiventris odour marks to odour marks deposited by their own nest-mates, whereas they prefer nest-mate odour marks over M. rufiventris odour marks at a location already occupied by T. spinipes nest-mates. Melipona rufiventris foragers flee from T. spinipes odour marks. This olfactory eavesdropping may have played a role in the evolution of potentially cryptic communication mechanisms such as shortened odour trails, point-source only odour marking and functionally referential communication concealed at the nest.
    Keywords: eavesdropping; olfaction; competition; aggression; evolution of communication

    PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A.; CRUZ-LOPEZ, L. & MORGAN, E.D. 2004. Eletroantenografia no estudo de abelhas sem ferrão (Hymenoptera: Meliponini). Braz. J. Biol. 64(4): 827-831.
    Abstract: The first recorded electroantennographic preliminary studies on stingless bees have been performed using two species of Frieseomelitta from Brazil. Experiments with F. silvestrii and F. varia showed that antennae respond to hexane extracts of heads and abdomens of both species and posterior tibia of F. silvestrii (which carry plant resin), as well as to the pure compounds 2-heptanol and 2-nonanol, which occur in the mandibular glands of both species, and to the terpenes a-cubebene, humulene, and b-caryophyllene found on their tibia and in the cerumen of their nests.
    Keywords: Frieseomelitta; antennal response; exocrine glands; propolis; odor

    2005

    BIESMEIJER, J.C.; SLAA, J.E.; CASTRO, M.S.; VIANA, B.F.; KLEINERT, A.M.P. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2005. Connectance of Brazilian social bee: food plant networks is influenced by habitat, but not by latitude, altitude or network size. Biota Neotropica 5(1): 85-93.
    Abstract: Several recent studies suggest that the level of generalization (measured as percentage connectance) of plant-pollinator networks has several ecological correlates, e.g. latitude and altitude. Here we report on levels of generalization in 27 two-mode networks of social bees and their food plants in various Brazilian habitats and urban environments. Social bees are generalist foragers and are among the most abundant flower visitors in Brazil. They probably account for 30-50% of all plant - flower visitor interactions. Connectance was significantly influenced by habitat. Cerrado forests showed lower connectance than the dry dune habitats, with Atlantic rain forest and urban sites taking intermediate position and arid Caatinga being similar to dunes. This shows that generalization in a plant - flower visitor community can be influenced by habitat even within a group of generalist flower visitors, in our case social bees. We show that the strength of the interactions is not different between Cerrado and semi-arid habitats (dunes and Caatinga) and discuss other explanations for our findings.
    Keywords: pollination; stingless bees; Meliponini; Apis, Bombus; food plants

    KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2005. Colony strength and queen replacement in colonies of Melipona marginata (Apidae: Meliponini). Brazilian Journal of Biology 65(3): 469-476.
    Abstract: Physogastric queens of Melipona marginata were removed from their colonies in order to verify the acceptance of a new queen by workers. Colony strength was evaluated according to queen oviposition rate and comb diameters. Replacement was observed seven times. Its occurrence and speed related positively to colony strength, independently of queen's age. In weak colonies, queen replacement was observed only once, following colony population increase that occurred after introduction of combs from another colony. Worker oviposition after queen removal was observed three times: in a strong colony with virgin queens and males, and in two of the weak colonies. In the first two or three days of new queen oviposition, during which most of the eggs were eaten by the queen, worker oviposition preceded almost all provisioning and oviposition processes (POPs). After this period, worker oviposition decreased until it reached around 25% of the POPs. Daily oviposition rate of young queens decreased or was even interrupted by hatching of their first brood.
    Keywords: stingless bees; queen replacement; worker oviposition; colony strength; Melipona

    KOEDAM, D.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; FIDALGO, A.O. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2005. How queen and workers share in male production in the stingless bees Melipona subnitida Ducke (Apidae, Meliponini). Insectes Sociaux 52(2): 114-121.
    Abstract: Potential conflict between the queen and workers over the production of males is expected in stingless bees as a result of the higher relatedness of workers with their sons than with their brothers. This conflict was studied in Melipona subnitida by observing how the queen and the workers share in male production. The oviposition of individual cells was observed in two colonies with individually marked workers for a period of 51 and 40 days respectively. The gender that developed from these cells was then determined. The results revealed that most male production was concentrated in a 2-3-week period, during which laying workers were present. During these weeks, the queens produced twice as many males as all laying workers together. Outside this distinct period, the queens produced an occasional male. A reproductive worker either oviposited before the queen did, in which case she immediately proceeded to close the cell and thus prevented the queen from oviposition, or oviposited and sealed the cell after the queen had laid an egg. When cell construction and oviposition occured on several combs simultaneously, the workers preferentially laid male eggs on the newest combs. We discuss the proximate mechanism and ultimate cause of the way in which queen-worker male production occurred. In conclusion, we argue that overt behavioural conflict, occasionally displayed by reproductive workers of this species, can be of great cost to the colony.
    Keywords: stingless bees; Melipona subnitida; reproductive workers; male production; queen-worker conflict

    NIEH, J.C.; KRUIZINGA, K.; BARRETO, L.S.; CONTRERA, F.A.L. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2005. Effect of group size on the aggression strategy of an extirpating stingless bee, Trigona spinipes. Insectes Sociaux 52(2): 147-154.
    Abstract: Group aggression influences communication and defense strategies in many social insect communities. Such aggression plays a particularly significant role in the lives of stingless bees, important native Neotropical pollinators, in which the battle for food resources can be deadly and critical to colony survival. However, the effects of group size on individual aggression levels and the spatio-temporal aggression strategy of communal aggressors have not been fully explored. We therefore investigated how group size affects the aggression levels and the spatio-temporal attack strategy (which body parts, and the amount of time spent in attacking each part) in close combats between Trigona spinipes foragers and a natural competitor, Melipona rufiventris. In all trials, T. spinipes foragers competitively excluded M. rufiventris foragers from nearby feeders, exhibiting four levels of aggressive behavior ranging from threat displays to prolonged grappling and decapitation. Surprisingly, aggression levels and spatial strategy corresponded to the size of group attacks. Larger groups of attackers used individually lower aggression levels than small groups of attackers. Smaller groups also attacked appendages linked to escape (legs and wings) with greater frequency than larger groups, which focused on vital central body areas (abdomen, thorax, and head). Increased aggression corresponded to increased risks for attackers and the attacked. All combatants engaging at the highest level of aggression died (100% mortality). Thus the dominance style of T. spinipes may minimize attack risk and maximize victim harm with finely tuned hostility.
    Keywords: group effects; aggression; stingless bees; competition; foraging

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2005. The males of Melipona and other stingless bees and their mothers. Apidologie 36(2): 169-185.
    Abstract: Female behaviour in social Hymenoptera and the queen-worker conflict with respect to male production have been the focus of many studies. Although male production is an investment that is in conflict with investment in colony size, males play a vital role in colony reproduction. This paper reviews the production patterns of male stingless bees, their activities once they have reached adulthood and their origin (i.e., are they sons of workers or of queens). The existence of a broad spectrum of species-specific patterns of male production, sex ratios, and male parentage offers ample opportunities to discuss the influence of ecology on the dynamics of stingless bee colony life. The paper also argues that selfishness causes the queen and the workers to compete and each to adopt certain strategies in their effort to produce male progeny. It is this competition, expressed in various forms during the characteristic and socially complex process of cell provisioning and oviposition, that could help explain the variable outcomes of male parentage at the species level as we currently know them.
    Keywords: stingless bee male; sex ratio; life history; male aggregation; queen-worker conflict; provisioning and oviposition process

    VIANA, B.F. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2005. A community of flower-visiting bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in the coastal sand dunes of Northeastern Brazil. Biota Neotropica 5(2): 79-91.
    Abstract: We analyzed aspects of the community structure of Apoidea of a restricted area of dunes with restinga vegetation in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Standardized samples were taken for one year, 3 times a month from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A total of 3983 individuals (3770 females and 213 males) of 49 species, grouped into 13 morpho-functional types and belonging to five families, were collected from flowers in its majority. The fauna of Abaeté is composed by large solitary bees, best represented by Anthophoridae followed by Apidae; Halictidae; Megachilidae and Colletidae. Bees were active throughout the year, with peaks of abundance in periods of low rainfall. Daily activity was greatest between 08:00 and 14:00 hours, when relative humidity was lower and temperature higher. The abundance pattern and the richness were very similar to other habitats in the Brazilian Northeast. Of the species sampled, 49% were represented by less than eight individuals. The six most abundant species were represented by 84% of the total individuals collected. The availability of resources seems to be the main factor regulating bee flight activity in Abaeté. The foraging activity was related positively to the intensity of flowers in the field.
    Keywords: bee's abundance; bee diversity; community structure; restinga and dunes; morpho-functional groups; Northeast Brazil

    WENSELEERS, T.; RATNIEKS, F.L.W.; RIBEIRO, M.F.; ALVES, D.A. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2005. Working-class royalty: bees beat the caste system. Biology Letters 1(2): 125-128.
    Abstract: The struggle among social classes or castes is well known in humans. Here, we show that caste inequality similarly affects societies of ants, bees and wasps, where castes are morphologically distinct and workers have greatly reduced reproductive potential compared with queens. In social insects, an individual normally has no control over its own fate, whether queen or worker, as this is socially determined during rearing. Here, for the first time, we quantify a strategy for overcoming social control. In the stingless bee Schwarziana quadripunctata, some individuals reared in worker cells avoid a worker fate by developing into fully functional dwarf queens.
    Keywords: caste conflict; social insects; stingless bees; Schwarziana quadripunctata

    2006

    ALVES-DOS-SANTOS, I.; NAXARA, S.R.C. & PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A. 2006. Notes on the morphology of Tetrapedia diversipes Klug 1810 (Tetrapediini, Apidae), an oil-collecting bee. Braz. J. Morphol. Sci. 23(3-4): 425-430.
    Abstract: Some groups of bees collect oil from flowers and use this product to feed the larvae and to line the nests and brood cells, as is the case for bees of the Neotropical genus Tetrapedia (Tetrapediini, Apidae). They are solitary and construct their nests on pre-existing cavities in wood. Aiming to bring a better understanding of the oil collecting structures of Neotropical oil bees, in this study we examined the foreleg morphology of female of Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, showing on SEM the adaptations of forebasitarsus for collecting oil from flowers. The metasoma of female bees was measured and dissected using stereomicroscope and the size and shape of Dufour’s gland were estimated. T. diversipes hold a curved comb on the basitarsus of the front leg to collect oil and a mixture of slender and branched hairs on the scopa of the hind leg to transport it. These structures are very similar on the examined Tetrapedia species. The Dufour’s gland of T. diversipes is reduced, occupying about 2.2% of the metasoma. Further investigation of the chemical composition of the Dufour’s gland secretion, of the cell lining and of the collected floral oil might clarify the role of these components on T. diversipes’ life.
    Keywords: Dufour’s gland; floral resource; elaiphore; nesting material; Neotropical bee

    CEPEDA, O.I. 2006. Division of labor during brood production in stingless bees with special reference to individual participation. Apidologie 37(2): 175-190.
    Abstract: The focus of this paper is the process for brood production known as the Provisioning and Oviposition Process (POP), and particularly the individual behavior observed in the facultatively polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor. Following individually marked bees revealed that ovarian development is correlated with individual behavior differences. While most of the eggs laid by workers are consumed by the queen (trophic eggs), workers contribute significantly in male production with reproductive eggs, illustrating the reproductive conflict at the individual level. From an evolutionary outlook, "benefactor" behaviors may evolve if workers conserve the "hope" of reproduction. This indicates that an important function of trophic eggs is to keep the ovaries active. It is also possible that ovary development represents an internal factor promoting division of labor: reproductive workers are specialized or elite bees with low response thresholds and high activity levels that restrain the participation of other workers.
    Keywords: stingless bees; division of labor; POP; Melipona bicolor; reproductive competition; Apidae

    CONTRERA, F.A.L.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KOEDAM, D. 2006. Age-dependent mass variation in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata (Apidae, Meliponini). Braz. J. Morphol. Sci. 23(3-4): 321-324.
    Abstract: The relationship between worker body mass and age in stingless bess is an important aspect of morphological development that is poorly understood. In this work, we examined the body mass-age relationship in workers of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Newly emerged workers (n=151) were marked and weighted and then returned to their nest, after which body mass was monitored for 45 days. Melipona quadrifasciata workers showed substantial increase in body mass during the first five days of life in the nest (F5,190=146.91, P<0.001) that most likely reflected the extensive glandular and ovarian development during this period. From the 6th to the 24th day, there was a gradual decrease in body mass (F13,327=5.94, P<0.001) before eventually stabilizing (F17,127=0.35, P=0.99). The decrease in body mass with age probably reflected the greater participation of workers in processes associated with provisioning and oviposition, as well as the preference of workers to donate rather than receive food during trophallaxis and at the beginning of foraging activity.
    Keywords: mass; Melipona; stingless bee; weight; workers

    CORTOPASSI-LAURINO, M.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; ROUBIK, D.W.; DOLLIN A.; HEARD, T.; AGUILAR, I.; VENTURIERI, G.C.; EARDLEY, C. & NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. 2006. Global meliponiculture: challenges and opportunities. Apidologie 37(2): 275-292.
    Abstract: Stingless bees are social bees that live in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. All species produce honey, which has been appreciated by humans since ancient times. Here, the general panorama of meliponiculture is presented. Deforestation and poor management are the main problems faced by this incipient industry. For a profitable meliponiculture, much more biological information is needed, as well as field studies in natural conditions. In the near future, we suggest that the successful use of these pollinators will promote the development of new breeding techniques and commercialization possibilities, which must be designed to be sustainable.
    Keywords: meliponiculture; stingless bees; breeding; honey; wax; pollinators; Apidae; Meliponini

    FRANCOY, T.M.; NUNES-SILVA, P.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & WITTMANN, D. 2006. Patterns of wing venation corroborates populational differences in Plebeia remota. Apidologie 37: 613-614.
    Abstract: Plebeia remota Holmberg is a stingless bee widely distributed in southeastern Brazil. Previous studies showed that the populations found in Cunha – São Paulo State (23°05’S; 44°55’W) and in Prudentópolis – Paraná State (25°13’S; 50°59’W) differ in some behavioral and physiological traits, such as duration of reproductive diapause, changes in the nest architecture during this period, flight activity and temperature regulation of the nest. Furthermore, data on mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites showed differences between the populations and suggest absence of gene flow among colonies of these populations kept in the same apiary. We measured the patterns of the venation on the right and left forewings using the internet available software TPSDIG. Sample size was 10 individuals/colony from five colonies per population. Our results show significant differences in the pattern of forewing venation between these two groups. From a total of 200 individuals (one hundred from each type) 97% were classified into the respective group and 94.5% were correctly classified in the cross-validation test. Most of the bees were classified with a certainty of P > 0.99. The maintenance of the differences in the wing venation reinforces the idea that no gene flow occurs between these two groups and suggests that these bees do not belong to the same species, as the colonies from which we took our samples were brought from the original places and kept in our apiaries for ca. 10 years.

    KOEDAM, D.; CEPEDA, O.I. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. (accepted). Egg laying and oophagy by reproductive workers in the polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor (Hymenoptera, Meliponini). Apidologie

    RIBEIRO, M.F.; WENSELEERS, T.; SANTOS-FILHO, P. & ALVES, D.A. 2006. Miniature queens in stingless bees: basic facts and evolutionary hypotheses. Apidologie 37(2): 191-206.
    Abstract: Some stingless bees are known to produce both large queens, reared from larger royal cells, and small “miniature” queens, reared from worker cells. Here we review what is known about miniature queens, and evaluate some major evolutionary hypotheses as to why they are produced. One hypothesis – that miniature queens are females who selfishly evade an intended worker fate – is shown to receive significant support. In particular, there is increasing evidence that the decision to become a miniature queen may be under genetic control of the developing females themselves. In addition, data from several species show that females gain significant fitness benefits from doing so, since miniature queens are frequently observed heading colonies and often are as productive as normal-sized queens. On the other hand, in some species miniature queens have a reduced fecundity or may have lower chances of being chosen as a new queen. This shows that the strategy may also have costs. Queens of the genus Melipona, which are also reared from worker-sized cells, are suggested to have the same evolutionary origins as miniature queens.
    Keywords: queen dimorphism; miniature queens; stingless bees; caste fate conflict; Apidae; Meliponini

    RIBEIRO, M.F.; SANTOS-FILHO, P.S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. (2006). Size variation and egg laying performance in Plebeia remota queens (Hym., Apidae, Meliponini). Apidologie 37: 653–664.
    Abstract: Stingless bees may produce both large queens and "miniature" queens, but the adaptive significance of this is uncertain. Using biometry and statistical analysis we determined the proportion of miniature queens in Plebeia remota that were either mated (14%) or virgin (45%). Mated queens were mostly normalsized which indicated that they were more successful. Nevertheless, the presence of miniature mated queens heading colonies confirmed that they also are viable. The egg-laying capacity of mated queens of different sizes was determined using colony exchange experiments. The results showed that egg laying is not influenced by size differences. Therefore, miniature mated queens may be as successful in laying eggs as normal-sized queens. Finally we discuss some ultimate hypotheses for why miniature queens are produced.
    Keywords: queen size variation; miniature queen; egg laying; stingless bee; Plebeia remota

    SANTOS-FILHO, P.; ALVES, D.A.; ETEROVIC, A.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2006. Numerical investment in sex and caste by stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini): a comparative analysis. Apidologie 37(2): 207-221.
    Abstract: Sex and caste allocation by five stingless bee species was investigated. The study included species that build royal cells (RCP: Plebeia remota and Schwarziana quadripunctata) and species that do not (RCA: Melipona asilvai, M. bicolor and M. subnitida). Allocation to gynes, males and workers was assessed by linear regression slopes and simple ratios. RCP had higher allocation to males, and RCA had higher allocation to gynes and workers. In both groups, a negative correlation in males vs. workers suggested a prevalent opportunity cost, which may hinder colony growth and/or colony fission.
    Keywords: stingless bees; Meliponini; sex ratio; worker production; numerical allocation

    VELTHUIS, H.H.W.; DE VRIES, H. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2006. The polygyny of Melipona bicolor: scramble competition among queens. Apidologie 37(2): 222-239.
    Abstract: The stingless bee Melipona bicolor is facultatively polygynous, a unique character among the bees. Polygynous colonies were not more productive than monogynous colonies. During the process of provisioning and oviposition of cells ( POP) a queen may be either alone or together with one or two other queens. If together, each queen has on average the same chance to lay the egg, indicating that there is no dominance mechanism involved. During the POP, a queen may ingest some of the larval food and a trophic egg laid by a worker. Worker egg laying is less frequent in multiple queen POPs. The most active queen has proportionally more single-queen POPs and more trophic eggs. Such nutritional advantage and the resulting output of eggs could depend on chance, but a lasting qualitative difference among queens probably exists as well. Though we could outline the mechanisms behind the outcome of this scramble competition for egg laying, the adaptive significance of this polygyny remains largely mysterious.
    Keywords: polygyny; stingless bee; Melipona bicolor; scramble competition; trophallaxis; trophic eggs; Apidae; Meliponini

    VIANA, B.F. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2006. Structure of bee-flower system in the coastal sand dune of Abaeté, northeastern Brazil. Rev. Bras. Entomol. 50(1): 53-63.
    Abstract: For twelve months (from January to December of 1996) we investigated bee-flower interactions in a sea coastal ecosystem in Bahia, Brazil. Samples were taken three times each month. 3983 individuals belonging to 49 bee species, grouped in 13 morph-functional categories, visited 66 plant species belonging to 39 botanic families. It was observed 310 interactions between bees and plants at species level. The use of floral resources by bees was not homogeneous; most of the plant species received a low number of visitors. No restricted plant-bee species relationship in resource use concerning the subset of analyzed interactions was detected. In Abaeté the generalist relationships predominated.
    Keywords: Apoidea; Bahia; floral resources; sandbank

    VIANA, B.F.; SILVA, F.O. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. 2006. The bee flora of the sea coastal sand dunes of Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil. Rev. Bras. Bot. 29(1): 13-25.
    Abstract: A comunidade de plantas visitadas por abelhas foi estudada em um fragmento de 8,2 ha na Área de Proteção Ambiental das Lagoas e Dunas de Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia (12º56 S e 38º21 W). Entre janeiro e dezembro de 1996, três vezes ao mês, as plantas floridas eram amostradas, registrando-se para cada espécie o período de floração, hábito e características florais como: cor, forma, sexualidade, simetria, deiscência das anteras e recurso oferecido ao visitante. O tipo de vegetação local é a restinga, composta principalmente por arbustos e subarbustos. Foram observadas 97 espécies vegetais e a família Fabaceae foi a mais rica em número de espécies. Das espécies observadas, 66 foram visitadas por abelhas, sendo que 12 delas foram predominantemente visitadas (79,4% do total de indivíduos). Waltheria cinerescens St. Hilaire e Byrsonima microphylla A. Juss. foram as espécies mais abundantes. Os recursos florais estiveram disponíveis ao longo de todo o ano, havendo maior produção de flores nos meses de menor precipitação. A maioria das flores esteve aberta durante todo o dia. Predominaram flores actinomorfas (63%), monóclinas (89%), pequenas, tubulares e reunidas em inflorescências, cujas cores mais freqüentes são lilás (32%) e creme (31%). A maioria era melitófila (85%), significando que as abelhas são, provavelmente, os principais responsáveis pela reprodução sexual das espécies vegetais nessas dunas.
    Keywords: Apoidea; dunas litorâneas; plantas apícolas; restinga

    2007

    Cortopassi-Laurino, M. 2007. Drone congregations in Meliponini: what do they tell us. Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 23, Supplement 1, p. 153-160.

    Couvillon M.J., Wenseleers T., Imperatriz-Fonseca V.L., Nogueira-Neto P.& Ratnieks F.L.W. (2007) Comparative study in stingless bees (Meliponini) demonstrates that nest entrance size predicts traffic and defensivity. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, in press.

    FIDALGO, A. O. ; KLEINERT, A. M. P. 2007. Foraging behavior of Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier (Apinae, Meliponini) in Ubatuba/SP, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Biology, v. 67, p. 137-144.

    Imperatriz-Fonseca, V. L.; Saraiva, A. M. e Gonçalves, L. S. 2007. A iniciativa brasileira de polinizadores e os avanços atuais para a compreensão do papel dos polinizadores como produtores de serviços ambientais. Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 23, Supplement 1, p. 100-106.

    KOEDAM, D.; CEPEDA-APONTE, O.I. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. 2007. Egg laying and oophagy by reproductive workers in the polygynous stingless bee Melipona bicolor (Hymenoptera, Meliponini). Apidologie38(1): 55-66.

    Malagodi-Braga, K. S. e Kleinert, A. de M. P. 2007. Como o comportamento das abelhas na flor do morangueiro (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne) influencia a formação dos frutos? Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 23, Supplement 1, p. 76-81.

    Mendes, M. F. M.; Francoy T. M.; Nunes-Silva P.; Menezes C. e Imperatriz-Fonseca V. L. 2007. Intra-populational variability of Nannotrigona testaceicornis Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) using relative warps analysis. Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 23, Supplement 1, p. 147- 152.

    Witter, S.; Blochtein, B.; Andrade, F.; Wolff, L. F. e Imperatriz-Fonseca, V. L. 2007. Meliponicultura no Rio Grande do Sul: contribuição sobre a biologia e conservação de Plebeia nigriceps (Friese 1901) (Apidae, Meliponini). Biosci. J., Uberlândia, v. 23, Supplement 1, p. 134-140.

  • Resumos e trabalhos completos em encontros científicos

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    2007-Alves dos Santos I. ; GIANNINI, T. C. ; Naxara S. R. C. ; SARAIVA, A. M. . Using openModeller to analyze the geographical distribution of the Centridini bees (Apidae, Hymenoptera). In: In: ESA / SER Joint Meeting 2007, 2007, San Jose, CA, 2007, California. Proceedings of the ESA / SER Joint Meeting 2007. San Jose, CA, EUA : Ecological Society of America / The Society for Ecological Restoration International, 2007. on line

    2007-CARTOLANO JUNIOR, E. A. ; SARAIVA, A. M. ; CORREA, P. L. P. ; GIANNINI, T. C. ; GIOVANNI, R. . Uma proposta de esquema de dados de relacionamento entre espécimes. In: In: XXXIII Conferencia Latinoamericana de Informática - CLEI 2007; Taller Latinoamericano de Informática para la Biodiversidad - INBI 2007, 2007, San Jose. Anais do XXXIII Conferencia Latinoamericana de Informática - CLEI 2007; Taller Latinoamericano de Informática para la Biodiversidad - INBI 2007, 2007. CDROM.

    2007-FERREIRA, M. S. J. ; GIANNINI, T. C. ; CORREA, P. L. P. ; SARAIVA, A. M. . Weblabs of Brazilian Bees. In: In: XXXIII Conferencia Latinoamericana de Informática - CLEI 2007; Taller Latinoamericano de Informática para la Biodiversidad - INBI 2007, 2007, San Jose. Anais da XXXIII Conferencia Latinoamericana de Informática - CLEI 2007; Taller Latinoamericano de Informática para la Biodiversidad - INBI 2007, 2007. CDROM.

    2006-CUNHA-LIMA, R. ; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, M. ; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V. L. ; KLEINERT, A. M. P. . As abelhas na polinização: uma consulta à lista eletrônica ABENA. In: XVI Congresso Brasileiro de Apicultura, 2006, Aracaju (SE). Anais do XVI Congresso Brasileiro de Apicultura.

    2006-SOUZA, V. C. ; KLEINERT, A. M. P. . Substituição de rainha e razão sexual em Plebeia remota Holmberg (Apidae, Meliponini): um estudo de caso. In: XXVI Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia, 2006, Londrina (PR). Anais do XXVI Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia, 2006.

    2006-SOUZA, V. C. ; KLEINERT, A. M. P. . Razão sexual em Friesella schrottkyi (Apidae, Meliponini): uma análise preliminar. In: VII Encontro sobre Abelhas, 2006, Ribeirão Preto. Anais do VII Encontro sobre Abelhas. Ribeirão Preto.

    2005-ALVES, D.A. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. One year-study on the production of sexuals in a stingless bee species, Schwarziana quadripunctata (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). In: Abstracts Handbook of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. p.103.

    2005-CASTRO, Marina Siqueira de ; KLEINERT, A. M. P. ; BARRETO, L. S. . Polinização e sistema reprodutivo de duas espécies do gênero Spondias (Anacardiaceae) na caatinga, Milagres, Bahia. In: 56º Congresso Brasileiro de Botânica, 2005, Curitiba (PR). Anais do 56º Congresso Brasileiro de Botânica.

    2005-IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Pollinators as a conservation priorityIn: Abstracts Handbook of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. p.61.

    2005-HILÁRIO, S.D.; ALVES, D.A.; NUNES-SILVA, P. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Relationship between thermoregulation and brood cell construction in an eusocial stingless bee Plebeia remota (Holmberg, 1903) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini). In: Abstracts Handbook of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. p. 104.

    2005-NUNES-SILVA, P.; ALVES, D.A.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & HILARIO, S.D. The growth of brood combs of newly swarmed colonies of Plebeia remota (Holmerg, 1903) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae). In: Abstracts Handbook of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. p.105.

    2004-ALVES, D.A.; RIBEIRO, M.F.; SANTOS-FILHO, P.S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Production of gynes and males in Plebeia remota Holmberg, 1903 (Apidae, Meliponini). In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.753.

    2004-ALVES, D.A.; & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Production of gynes, males and workers in Melipona bicolor Lepeletier, 1836 (Apidae, Meliponini). In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.754.

    2004-APONTE, OIC; IMPERATRIZ FONSECA,V.L.; SANTOS FILHO, PS. Ovarian development related to activity levels of nurse workers in Melipona bicolor: evolutionary significance. Proceedings of the 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas (2004).

    2004-CONTRERA, F.A.L.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KOEDAM, D. An experimental study of the effects of seasonality and group size on worker longevity in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata (Apidae, Meliponini). In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.701.

    2004-CONTRERA, F.A.L.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & NIEH, J.C. Time and weather influences on flight activity in stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini). In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.700.

    2004-CORTOPASSI-LAURINO, M. Seasonal Strategies of Harvesting by Melipona sp in the
    Amazon region. Proceedings of the 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.258-63.

    2004-HILÁRIO, S.D.; RIBEIRO, M.F. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.
    Rain impact on flight activity of Plebeia remota Holmberg. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.759.

    2004-HILÁRIO, S.D.; RIBEIRO, M.F. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.
    Wind speed influence on flight activity of Plebeia remota Holmberg. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.760.

    2004-IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. As abelhas e as Iniciativas Internacionais de Polinizadores. In: Libro de Memórias II Encuentro Colombiano de Abejas Silvestres. p.22-35.

    2004-IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & DIAS, B.S.F. Brazilian Pollinator Initiative In: Solitary Bees: Conservation, rearing and management for pollination. p.27-34.

    2004-IMPERATRIZ FONSECA,V.L.; FREITAS, B.M.; SARAIVA, A.M. & DIAS, B.F.S. The Brazilian Pollinators Initiative: challenges and opportunities. Proceedings of the 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.56-62.

    2004-IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.; CONTRERA, F.A.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. A meliponicultura e a Inciativa Brasileira dos Polinizadores. XV Cong. Bras. Apic. / I Cong. Bras. Meliponicultura.

    2004-KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. The sharing of male production among worker cohorts in Melipona (Apidae, Meliponini). Proceedings of the 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.264-270.

    2004-KOEDAM, D. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Cell sealing and egg protection in Melipona bicolor (Apidae, Meliponini). In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.767.

    2004- MALAGODI-BRAGA, K.S.; KLEINERT, A.M.P.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Abelhas sem ferrão e polinização.. In: Anais do II Encontro Colombiano sobre abelhas nativas.

    2004-MALAGODI-BRAGA, K. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. Management proposal for Tetragonisca angustula Latreille as pollinator species of organic strawberry production. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.693.

    2004-MOUGA, D.M.D.S.; KRUG, C. & NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. Levantamento da fauna de abelhas (Apoidea) em área de campos de altitude em Santa Catarina. In: Anais do XXV Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia. p. 148.

    2004-NAXARA, S.R.C.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L., ALVES-DOS-SANTOS, I. & KNOLL, F.R.N. The diversity and relative abundance of the highly social bee species (Apidae) at the campus of the University of São Paulo In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas.p.543

    2004-NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; RANGEL, J. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Effect of food location and quality on recruitment sounds and success. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.770.

    2004-NIEH, J.C.; CONTRERA, F.A.L.; YOON, R.R.; BARRETO, L.S. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Polarized odor-trail communication by a stingless bee, Trigona spinipes. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.201.

    2004-PATRÍCIO, E.F.L.R.A. &, IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L.
    S.E.M. and GC-MS studies of Plebeia remota (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.739.

    2004-RENSI, C. & KLEINERT, A.M.P. Temporal pollen flow in Melipona marginata (Apidae, Meliponini) in distinct seasons – preliminary data. In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.750.

    2004-RIBEIRO, M.F. Miniature queens in stingless bee species – a review. Proceedings of the 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.280-6.

    2004-RIBEIRO, M.F. Do the miniature queens of Plebeia remota (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae) lay smaller eggs than normal-sized queens? In: Proceedings of 52nd Annual Meeting of Entomological Society of America.

    2004-RIBEIRO, M.F. & HYODO, V.C.C. Do dwarf queens of Schwarziana quadripunctata (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponinae) lay smaller eggs than normal-sized ones? In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.698.

    2004-SARAIVA, A.M. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. A proposal for an information network for the Brazilian Pollinators Initiative – BPI based on WebBee In: Proceedings of 8th IBRA International Conference on Tropical Bees and VI Encontro sobre Abelhas. p.409-416.

    2004-SARAIVA, A.M.; IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. & KLEINERT, A.M.P.
    Virtual network center of ecosystem services – VINCES. In: I Workshop TIDIA, Kyatera - tecnologia da informação no desenvolvimento da internet avançada. p.29 - 30

    2003-ALVES, D.A.; RIBEIRO, M.F. & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. A conservação das abelhas sociais nativas (Apidae, Meliponinae) e a produção de rainhas em Plebeia remota Holmberg 1903. In: Anais do VI Congresso de Ecologia do Brasil. p.217-219.

    2003-CORTOPASSI-LAURINO M. ALVES, D.A.; & IMPERATRIZ-FONSECA, V.L. Árboles para nidos de meliponíneos. In: Memorias del III Seminario Mesoamericano sobre Abejas sin Aguijón. p.99.

    2003-MOUGA, D.M.D.S.; KRUG, C.; NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. Levantamento da diversidade de abelhas (Hymenoptera) em área de restinga e dunas em São Francisco do Sul-SC. In: Livro de resumos do 5º Encontro Nacional de Biólogos. p. 81.

    2003-MOUGA, D.M.D.S.; KRUG, C.; NOGUEIRA-NETO, P. Estudo da fauna de Himenópteros (Apoidea) em area de Mata de Araucaria em Mafra-SC. In: Livro de resumos do 5º Encontro Nacional de Biólogos. p. 81.